Bodybuilding aparatus

ABSTRACT

A bodybuilding and/or re-education apparatus that comprises rotating has a crank rotatable with one or both hands for displacing and driving a mechanical assembly with adjustable torque of the stationary bicycle type and for toning all the muscles in a single motion based on the body position of the user. The apparatus includes a crank adjustable to a man&#39;s height through a mechanical means mounted on a mechanical assembly from a stationary bicycle. The lever arm of the crank is telescopic and has an adjustable length for making circles with greater or smaller radii. As soon as the operator actuates the crank, whether on the side or facing the mechanism, the rotation axis moves in a continuous manner from A to B or B to A, forcing the operator to constantly change the bearing position of his feet on the ground or on a stand with an inclinable plane. The apparatus can be used in gymnasiums and the home for a major and original bodybuilding contribution.

BACKGROUND

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a bodybuilding and/or re-education apparatus that consists of turning a crank with one or both hands in order to move and drive a mechanical assembly with adjustable torque, of the home exercise bicycle type and which, depending on the position of the user's body, can be used to tone all of the muscles in a single movement.

(2) Prior Art

As we know, there already exist many proposals of bodybuilding and/or re-education apparatus that are based on the turning of a crank. Searches at the INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle) identifies three such patents, namely:

-   -   EP 1,566,204 dated 24 Aug. 2005,     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,015 dated 20 Sep. 1988, and     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,398 dated 27 Sep. 1988.

These three patents present appliances with more or less similar functions, meaning those in which the user places his (or her) feet and/or body in order to exercise mainly the upper muscles of the body. In these conditions however, it is not possible to move the feet in order to find a new position that would require the use of other muscles.

There already exist other very effective bodybuilding appliances such as the lateral or central rowing machine and the elliptical bicycle, but each of these has its drawbacks. In fact certain muscles are insufficiently worked in terms of effort and movement. This also applies to the joints, the chest cage and the spine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the invention allows these drawbacks to be remedied. In fact, it consists of a crank that is adjustable to the height of a human by the use of mechanical means, and that is mounted on a mechanical assembly obtained from a home exercise bicycle. The lever arm of the crank is telescopic, and is adjustable in length so that it can describe circles of different radius. Depending on the type of movement sought, the user chooses to position his body facing the mechanism or turned sideways onto it.

When the user operates the crank, the rotation axle moves simultaneously, obliging the user to change the placement of the feet on the ground or on a sloping platform. The change of foot position can be caused by being thrown onto the heels or onto the forward part of the foot, or a by movement of the feet on the ground in order to find a better balance position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below by means of two examples, and by reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first version of the apparatus when mounted on a vertical framework,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second version of the apparatus where the base is composed of the mechanism of a home exercise bicycle,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus in its second version,

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the nut and screw assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The apparatus represented in FIG. 1, according to a first version, includes a vertical framework (15) whose two braced uprights (14 ₁-14 ₂) are mounted on feet that are attached to the ground (25), imposing a slope ({circumflex over (1)}) of the uprights (14) to the side that is adjustable from 0° upwards according to the degree of physical exercise sought by the user. Depending on the rigidity required of the assembly, the vertical framework is anchored to the ceiling by a system of stays (17). A cage (13) slides on the uprights (14). The fittings of the cage include, at the bottom, the mechanical assembly (2) with adjustable torque (10) of the home exercise bicycle type, whose output axle (23) is coupled to the axle (3) of the crank (1) by mechanical means (5′) of the belt and pulley type, or the toothed wheel and chain type or the geared type. The choice of the direction of rotation of the crank is determined by a gearbox (21) that is controlled by a two-position lever (20). From this same gearbox (21) there emerges a rack (24) or a cord attached to the vertical framework (35). When the user (7) turns the crank, its axle drives gears, causing all of the cage (13) to rise or fall by a value Δh, at a speed that is adjusted by a control lever (16). In the case of the cord, the latter rolls or unrolls on the axle (3).

In a second version, represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus includes a mechanical assembly (2) with adjustable torque (10) of the home exercise bicycle type (4) that is fixed to the ground (32) and, if so required, is also fixed to the ceiling by a system of stays (19). The axle (3) of the crank (1) is connected to the output axle (23) of the basic mechanical assembly (2) by virtue of a mechanical means (5) that includes a shaft which is equipped with a pulley and belt or toothed wheel and chain assembly (22).

At the top, as in the first version, a gearbox (21) controlled by a lever (20) is used to determine the direction of rotation of the crank. When the user (7) operates the crank, the latter drives, firstly, the rotation of the axle (23) of the mechanical assembly (2) and, secondly, the rotation of the axle (31) of an endless screw unit (12) that is anchored to a large screw (11) hinged (29) onto the structure. The action of the endless screw unit has the effect of varying the slope (α) of the shaft of the mechanical hub (5) and therefore of also moving the axle (3) of the crank (1) from A to B for a height variation of Δh. This position variation of the axle (3) from A to B or from B to A causes the user (7) to change the position of his (or her) feet (26) on the ground or on an inclinable platform (27) while continuing to turn the crank.

FIG. 4 represents a nut and screw system according to one method of implementation. In fact, it includes an endless screw unit (12) hinged on an axle (31) from which a chain (28) provides coupling to the gearbox (21). The toothed wheel (33) of the endless screw unit (12) transmits its rotation to a ball nut (34) mounted on a large ball screw (11). The latter is hinged at one end to the structure by an axle (29) and at the other moves along a slide (30) that is constructed in a circular arc.

After adjusting the height of the axle (3), it is also possible to adjust the length of the telescopic lever arm (6) of the crank for the two versions (FIGS. 1 and 2). The length of the lever arm (1) determines the radius of the circle to be swept (R₁-R₂), and this is fixed by a locking screw (8). In addition, a rotating handle (9) is designed to be operated by the user (7). In the case of operation sideways on, the user can be provided with a crank in the form of a crankshaft with two rotating handles.

According to another method of use of the apparatus in its second version, the feet of the user are fixed by attachment devices in order to determine positions prescribed by the instructor according to the type of exercise desired for the body. In addition, both versions of the apparatus can be equipped with an electronic unit (18) that provides information on the physical energy expenditure of the user, such as calories used, length of the exercise, etc.

The apparatus of the invention should find a place of choice in fitness centres and in the homes of individuals, since it represents a major and original innovation in the bodybuilding area.

Parts List

-   1—crank -   2—basic mechanical assembly -   3—crank axle -   4—base of the home exercise bicycle -   5—mechanical means, drive system of (2) -   6—crank arm -   7—user -   8—locking screw of the crank radius -   9—turning handle -   10—button to adjust the drive torque -   11—large ball screws -   12—endless screw unit -   13—sliding cage -   14 ₂, 14 ₂—vertical uprights -   15—vertical framework -   16—lever -   17—stay -   18—monitoring screen -   19—stay -   20—gearbox lever for changing the direction of rotation -   21—gearbox -   22—belt and pulley assembly -   23—output axle of the basic mechanical assembly -   24—rack -   25—anchor to the ground -   26—foot -   27—inclinable platform -   28—chain -   29—axle -   30—slider -   31—other axle -   32—fixing -   33—toothed wheel -   34—ball nut -   35—vertical framework attachments 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A bodybuilding and/or re-education apparatus comprising: a crank turned by at least one hand for driving a mechanical assembly with adjustable torque of the home exercise bicycle type; an axle of the crank moveable in height by a distance (Δh) in relation to the ground when the crank is turned in one direction or another direction by virtue of a mechanical means, using one of a large screw, a rack and a cord, so that a user, either sideways onto or facing the apparatus, is caused to constantly change the position of his/her feet on one of the ground and an inclinable platform.
 12. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the crank includes a telescopic lever arm whose length determines a radius of a circle to be swept, which is locked by a screw and a rotating handle designed to be operated by the user.
 13. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical assembly has a drive system, said mechanical assembly and said drive system are moved by the crank mounted in a cage sliding on two uprights whose slope is adjustable, and said cage moves in height by the distance (Δh) when the crank is turned, said crank being connected to a gearbox which is connected to one of the rack and the cord fixed onto a vertical framework and rolling onto the axle.
 14. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vertical framework is anchored to the ground and is also anchored to a ceiling by a system of stays.
 15. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical assembly is anchored to the ground, and that a drive system using the crank is hinged onto the axle of the mechanical assembly so that the movement in height (Δh) of the crank axle goes through an angle when the crank is turned, the crank being connected to a gearbox which is connected by a chain to an endless screw unit anchored to a large screw that is hinged on the assembly.
 16. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is anchored to the ground and to a ceiling by a system of stays.
 17. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus includes a gearbox that is controlled by a first lever in order to choose a direction of rotation of the crank, and second lever to control a direction and a speed of movement of the axle of the crank.
 18. A bodybuilding apparatus to claim 15, wherein the apparatus includes a gearbox that is controlled by a first lever in order to choose a direction of rotation of the crank and a second lever to control a direction and a speed of movement of the axle of the crank.
 19. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the large screw is hinged at one end on the assembly by an axle and at another end moves along a slide in the form of a circular arc.
 20. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the crank is equipped with a second handle to form a crank assembly in the form of a crankshaft.
 21. A bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus includes an electronic unit that provides information on the physical energy expenditure of the user, said information including effort duration and the calories expended. 